Houseguests
We've had a trail of visitors to the Barn this year, most of them depositing themselves here after a flight from America. It's funny entertaining jetlagged visitors. One of my friends slept till 2 p.m. and, in a way only she can, scrambled downstairs as fast as I've heard anybody, apologizing profusely when she found me. Nothing to apologize for, of course. Maybe I needed to apologize for not waking her sooner.
And then there are the eating habits. Guests routinely get hungry at midnight, about the time of their supper at home. We're sure to have on hand crackers and peanut butter or other good midnight snacks to curb their appetites.
Our guest room is in the attic, and I think it's becoming legendary. Actually, I think it's the nicest room in the house. However, as with all rewards, there is some risk. The risk of this guest room is that, especially with weary travelers, a guest will fall down Dutch (i.e. steep) stairs or a guest will bonk his or her head on the low ceiling upon awaking.
Some of our guests have stayed in our neighbor's overflow rooms next door. They are quite spoiled there, sleeping on freshly ironed sheets, receiving hot water bottles to put at the feet, chatting over late-night tea, and gaining new friends with whom to correspond. The hospitality received over there far surpasses my "The cereal is in the cupboard, help yourself" hospitality.
Oh, there are other fun things about seeing our life through the eyes of visitors. As is common here, our dishwasher and fridge are "custom", looking exactly like the cabinets in the kitchen. We've had guests think we don't have a fridge, look through all the cabinets until they find the dishwasher, and go outside of our apartment to look for the milk. There are the exclamations (out of horror or delight, I'm not sure) that we live in the country with hundreds of cows around! And most people think we are kidding when we tell them we'll take the boat across the river. We've had close calls with the adventuruous guests of ours, some nearly getting stranded for the night with a useless mobile phone at a far away train station, one nearly giving herself a heart attack by trying to pedal a bike with a flat tire, others getting lost on their walks, and still others nearly starving to death (twice) as we sat in Dutch traffic.
This parade of guests isn't your typical Fouth of July parade, but, with all it's twists and turns, it's certainly just as fun! I only hope our guests think the same!
And then there are the eating habits. Guests routinely get hungry at midnight, about the time of their supper at home. We're sure to have on hand crackers and peanut butter or other good midnight snacks to curb their appetites.
Our guest room is in the attic, and I think it's becoming legendary. Actually, I think it's the nicest room in the house. However, as with all rewards, there is some risk. The risk of this guest room is that, especially with weary travelers, a guest will fall down Dutch (i.e. steep) stairs or a guest will bonk his or her head on the low ceiling upon awaking.
Some of our guests have stayed in our neighbor's overflow rooms next door. They are quite spoiled there, sleeping on freshly ironed sheets, receiving hot water bottles to put at the feet, chatting over late-night tea, and gaining new friends with whom to correspond. The hospitality received over there far surpasses my "The cereal is in the cupboard, help yourself" hospitality.
Oh, there are other fun things about seeing our life through the eyes of visitors. As is common here, our dishwasher and fridge are "custom", looking exactly like the cabinets in the kitchen. We've had guests think we don't have a fridge, look through all the cabinets until they find the dishwasher, and go outside of our apartment to look for the milk. There are the exclamations (out of horror or delight, I'm not sure) that we live in the country with hundreds of cows around! And most people think we are kidding when we tell them we'll take the boat across the river. We've had close calls with the adventuruous guests of ours, some nearly getting stranded for the night with a useless mobile phone at a far away train station, one nearly giving herself a heart attack by trying to pedal a bike with a flat tire, others getting lost on their walks, and still others nearly starving to death (twice) as we sat in Dutch traffic.
This parade of guests isn't your typical Fouth of July parade, but, with all it's twists and turns, it's certainly just as fun! I only hope our guests think the same!
posted by Beth at 8:24 AM
3 Comments:
I've lost Nate and Cheryl these days..have you seen them at your house lately?
When I come I plan to bring a hard hat to wear upstairs, a Garmin so Rebecca and I can find our way home from the stroller rides, and my very own Jiff and Nabisco Saltines for midnight snack!
Hey- read my blog...you guys are invited to be our houseguests for an extended visit at the beginning of the year if the house goes through. 2 bedrooms and a bath on the main for you if you want, 20-30 mintues south of b'ham..NOT JOKING!!!!!
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